System, method, and media for intelligent selection of searching terms in a keyboardless entry environment

ABSTRACT

The disclosed invention relates to a pick list generator which displays selectable terms for inclusion in a selection field. One embodiment of the pick list generator is in assisting an Internet user in the user&#39;s population of search fields without the use of a keyboard containing all 26 letters and 10 digits. Accordingly, through application of the present invention, browsing and searching of the Internet is enhanced for the keyboardless user.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0001] 1. Technical Field

[0002] This invention described herein relates generally to populatingselection fields on a computer or a communications terminal. Moreparticularly, the invention relates to entering at least one term from acontext-sensitive list of selection terms without keyboard entry andsearching based on the term.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Since 1990, the telecommunications community has witnessed anexplosive growth in the Internet. One of the features of the Internetwhich has assisted its growth is the number and completeness of Internetsearch engines. These engines scan most Internet sites for newinformation, and catalog this information into an easily searchable formthrough the engine's home page. Popular Internet search sites include,for example, Yahoo!™ (at http://www.yahoo.com), Lycos™ (athttp://www.lycos.com), and Alta Vista™ (at http://www.altavista.com).These sites are accessible to the standard user through pointing theuser's Internet Browser to the uniform resource locator (URL) (givenabove in parenthesis) of these sites. Examples of popular InternetBrowsers include Netscape Communication Corporation's Navigator 3.0 ™and Microsoft Corporation's Internet Explorer 3.0™.

[0005] When at a search site, a user enters information into a selectionfield. After submitting the entered information, the user receives alist of pages (or URLs) which pertain to the submitted information. Somesearch sites provide a general category listing (for example,“Computers”) so a user can initially limit a search area to only thatsearch area.

[0006] A drawback to the present functionality of the Internet is therequirement that the user have access to a keyboard. For example, WebTV™, while allowing a person's television to be used as an Internetexploration station requires the use of a bulky keyboard.

[0007] Minimal accommodation is made for users who do not have access toa keyboard. The minimal accommodation as currently implemented in webpages as well as in some Internet Browsers is through a fixed “picklist”.

[0008] A pick list is a drop-down or pop-up menu listing of optionsavailable. In HTML version 3.0, a pick list option is represented by thefollowing: <p align=“center”>Selection:</p> <p align=“center”><selectname=“name” size=“1”> <option> Term A </option> <option> Term B</option> <option> Term C </option> <option> Term D </option></select></p>

[0009] The above listing of HTML code, when read into an InternetBrowser, produces a pick list with a drop-down menu of terms A, B, C,and D. A drawback of pick lists as generated by a remote server (ascontaining the HTML code which forms a Web page) is that the termsselectable from the pick list are fixed. Accordingly, in situationswhere one desires to search a variety of terms, even if a pick list isprovided by the web site, the pick list is fixed to what the programmerof the web site wants the user to see, not necessarily what the userwants to see.

[0010] Further, one difficulty experienced in searching on the Internetis the requirement that the searching user have a degree of familiaritywith the terms (and spelling of the terms) before a site or document canbe found.

[0011] Accordingly, a need exists to provide a keyboardless entry systemfor users who do not have ready access to a keyboard as well as adynamic list of terms for easier searching.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems as itprovides user-specific content in a keyboardless environment. Thepresent invention includes a pop-up, context sensitive menu of terms. By“pop-up” is meant a display menu in a screen or window of a screen. By“context sensitive” is meant the subject matter displayed to the user isselected on the basis of a topic in which a user is currentlyinterested. These terms are selectable and enterable, for example, intoselection fields on Internet search sites. Also, these terms are used tonavigate through broadcast programming. Further, these terms are used toselect on-demand services in an hybrid or coax network.

[0013] Embodiments of the present invention contemplate two distinctmodules for creating and using the context sensitive pick lists.

[0014] The first module relates to the use of pick lists. Through userselection of a selection field, a pop-up menu appears listing a varietyof selection terms. As contemplated by embodiments of the presentinvention, the displayed context sensitive terms relate to the previousselection terms used, the identity of the user (as a preferred selectionlist), and/or the terms present on the page currently displayed on auser's display device, After a user selects a term for population into aselection field, the first module outputs a variety of keyboard orsoftware calls so as to make the web browsing software believe that itis receiving a typed version of the selected term.

[0015] The second module relates to the generation of the contextsensitive pick list as including various associations between the termscontained in the pick list. Embodiments of the present inventioncontemplate at least three association processes which associatereceived terms for context sensitive retrieval. First, the receivedterms are associated with the selection terms used to find the currentdocument. Second, the received terms are associated with the identity ofa user who is using the web browser. Third, the received terms areassociated with other terms present on the page currently displayed on auser's display device. Through the various ways of associating termswith other terms during the learning process, the embodiments of thepresent invention provide a user with an easy and intelligent fieldpopulation scheme.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The present invention will now be described in more detail withreference to preferred embodiments of the invention, given only by wayof example, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017]FIG. 1 shows a first hardware environment of the presentinvention;

[0018]FIG. 2 shows an Internet Browser application supporting thevarious location of a pick-list generator module in accordance withembodiments of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3 shows a second hardware environment of the presentinvention;

[0020]FIG. 4 shows selected portions of the first and second hardwareenvironments in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the use of the selecting embodimentsof the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the use of the generating andassociating embodiments of the present invention;

[0023] FIGS. 7-10 show various pick-list generation fields in accordancewith embodiments of the present invention;

[0024]FIG. 11 shows a display of a search screen with a pick-list menuas contemplated by embodiments of the present invention; and, FIG. 12shows a hand-held portable computer with a display containing apick-list menu.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The present invention is discussed below with reference toInternet searching through an Internet browser as implemented in auser's residence. However, the present invention may be extended toother types of communications networks and systems. Alternativeembodiments include, for example, populations of fields for on-lineordering. Also, the present invention will primarily be described withreference to residential applications for purposes of illustration,although it should be understood that its applicability is widespreadincluding commercial and industrial applications.

[0026] The present invention relates to a system, method, and medium forentering selection information into a selection field. The inventionrelates to the use of a mouse, trackball, light pen, stylus, or otherpointing device to select specific terms from an intelligent dictionary.The disclosure describes the environment supporting the invention, thecreation of the intelligent dictionary with an application, and the useof the intelligent dictionary in an application.

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a connection of a system connected to the Internet101, as including an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows Internetgateway 102 connecting a user 103 running an Internetapplication/browser to the Internet 101. The present inventioncontemplates Internet gateway 102 as at least one of a direct connectionof a value added reseller (VAR). While a direct connection to theInternet allows large entities or experienced users direct access toInternet 101, a VAR provides an Internet connection in addition toproviding a variety of other services. For example, America On Line™(AOL), CompuServe™, and Prodigy™ are all VARs as each providesadditional information and services to their users in addition to adirect connection to the Internet.

[0028] Input device 104 allows a user using the InternetApplication/Browser at 103 to input information including, for example,terms upon which the user requests more information. Embodiments of thepresent invention contemplate input device 104 being a mouse or remotecontrol. Without using a keyboard, the user inputs specific terms forretrieving or linking to additional information of interest throughchoosing the specific terms from an intelligent dictionary.

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention contemplate the Internetapplication/browser as being an application which operates inconjunction with the Internet. For instance, an example of anapplication includes Microsoft Word 97™ (from the Microsoft Corporationof Redmond, Wash.) which allows embedded linking to destinations acrossthe Internet. An example of a browser includes Netscape Navigator 3.0™(from the Netscape Communications Corporation of California).

[0030] As shown in greater detail in FIG. 2, embodiments contemplate theintelligent agent 202 resident in either the application/browser or as aseparate application 203, accessed by the application browser 201. Forsimplicity, the intelligent agent which provides selected termsassociated with the user's searching desires is referred to as a“pick-list generator”.

[0031]FIG. 3 shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention asincorporated into a cable television system. FIG. 3 shows cabletelevision head end 301 connected to Internet 101. Cable television headend 301 outputs a broad band signal 305 to a subscriber terminal 302.Common transmission means for broadband signal 305 include coaxialcable, fiber optic cable, and satellite signals. Subscriber terminal 302outputs a selected channel to television 303 for watching by a user.

[0032] As contemplated by embodiments of the present invention, Internetaccess is provided to a user through the subscriber television system.In particular, a “Home Page” is transmitted to the user. The subscriberterminal interprets the received files and display them on thetelevision 303. Through interaction with input device 304, a user mayinteract with the received home page and receive additional informationfrom over the Internet. Information is uploaded through an RF interface306 or through a telephone connection 307 to head end 301.

[0033] Input device 304 is a device which is controlled by a user todesignate displayed information and/or input additional information intothe subscriber terminal 302. In an Internet application of input device304, embodiments contemplate the selection input device 304 as a mouse,a joystick, a remote control and equivalents thereof.

[0034]FIG. 4 shows home applications of embodiments of the presentinvention. For example, personal computer 401 with, for example, aPentium™ 166 processor 404 (manufactured by the Intel Corporation) with16 MB of RAM, a diskette drive, a CD ROM drive, a 1.6 GB hard drive(comprising storage 402), supports the Internet application/browser inconjunction with the pick list generator. In a cable television system,processor 405 found in set top 302 is related to processor 404 above.Also, storage 403 is related to storage 402. In a set top environment,embodiments of the present invention also contemplate the storage 403 asbeing a ROM, RAM, FLASH ROM or RAM, tape or disk and equivalents thereof

[0035] Turning now to the pick list generator, it allows for theselection of terms useful to a user for searching and other Internetrelated functions. The list of terms produced by the pick list generatorinclude text, numbers, URL's (uniform resource locators) (includingHTTP, FTP, Gopher sites, etc.), and applications. The list of terms aregrouped as needed and displayed to a user. In other words, the groupingof the terms are context sensitive. For example, as to the applications,the applications may be grouped by vendor (Microsoft, Corel, IBM,Apple), by the subject of the application (word processing, Internetbrowsing), by the tittle of the application (Word™, Internet Explorer™,Word Perfect™, Lotus Notes™), etc. As to other terms, for example,“cars”, all related terms are associated together as well. Accordingly,by selecting a topic, the system displays to a user all topicsassociated with that topic.

[0036]FIG. 5 shows in greater detail the steps used to generate the picklist. Here, the pick list generator is described as external to thebrowser software. Also, the pick list generator can be incorporated intoa browser or other application without undue experimentation using thedescribed modules.

[0037] At step 501, the user indicates which data field the user wantspopulated with a term. Embodiments of the present invention contemplatea user clicking on a data field or pressing a selection button on aremote control. Next, step 502 initiates the pick list generatorapplication and accesses the pick list as stored in memory. At step 503,the pick list generator searches for associated terms, either termsrelating to previously selected search terms, terms associated withthose terms on the page, and terms relating to a user's identity. Next,at step 504, the pick list generator displays the associated term to theuser. From the displayed list of terms, the user selects at least oneterm as noted is step 505. In step 506, the pick list generator takesthe selected term and inputs it into the selected field (chosen in step501). In one embodiment, the selected term (or terms) is input into theselected field through the generation of, for example, keyboard signals(keyboard calls) to convey the symbols comprising the selected term tothe selected field. Alternative embodiments contemplate the generationof other signals including voice signals (for later voice recognition bya voice recognition system).

[0038] Next, in step 507, the term (or terms) entered into to theselected field are sent over the Internet to a server supporting thedata selection field. Step 508 shows the reception of the results of theserver's processing of the selected terms. For simplicity, thetransmission to and from the server are shown by dotted lines. In asearching context, the received results are the results from the searchon the server.

[0039] At this point, the user interacts with the displayed information.If the user desires, however, the pick list generator may be updated soas to learn from the search and/or the results of the search. The userupdates the pick list generator through the operation of an updatecommand in step 509. In an embodiment contemplated by the presentinvention, the selection of 509 is an update button present on theuser's display. In response to step 509, the pick list generator updatesthe pick list with new terms as shown in step 510. Alternatively,embodiments of the present invention contemplate step 509 beingautomated so that the pick list is updated automatically, without theuser's initiation.

[0040]FIG. 6 shows in greater detail the steps used in updating the picklist. For simplicity, the function performed by the pick listapplication with respect to updating the pick list with new information.Steps 507, 508, and 510 correspond to those of FIG. 5.

[0041] As used herein, the term “document” is intended to refer to anarray of text, numbers, URLs, and equivalents thereof which comprise aset of useable information. In the case of receiving a document over theInternet, the document is intended to include home pages, files, contentof e-mails, output from newsgroups, and, when scannable by a processor,image files.

[0042] Once a document is received, step 601 may be initiated (manuallyor automatically) to begin the updating process. In step 601, thereceived document is scanned for terms found therein. Embodiments of thepresent invention contemplate the scanning module scanning and recordingeach and every term, or alternatively, scanning and recording onlycertain types of terms (nouns, verbs, adjectives) while skippingarticles (a, an, the) and conjunctions (and, but, or). Next, in step602, the scanned and recorded terms are stored in memory. If a term isalready stored in memory, then it does not need to be restored. Rather,the fact that the term already exists is noted and the system proceedsto at least one of the association steps 603, 604, 605, and 606. Also,alternative embodiments of the present invention contemplate the userbeing prompted after the scanning process as to whether the new termsshould be entered into the user's dictionary of terms.

[0043] From this point, at least one of three association operations arecontemplated. First, in step 603, the pick list update operationassociates the new terms with other terms on the page or in previouslystored, indexed knowledge bases. For example, if the user was viewing apage on “the Cars of 1997”, which listed a variety of makes of cars(Audi, Buick, BMW, etc.), then each of these new terms would beassociated with each other or an automobile knowledge base.Additionally, embodiments of the present invention contemplate anadjustable distance limit between words to be associated. So, in asentence of “cars of 1997” with the distance limit of three words, thenthe term “cars” would be associated with “1997” if scanned and termsfound therein are associated with each other. But, in a sentence of“cars are including more standard features this year, and will includemore in 1997”, “cars” would not be associated with “1997”, in thisexample, as more than three words separate “cars” and “1997”.

[0044] In step 604, the newly uncovered terms are associated with theuser. In this association step 604, the user has entered his or heridentity into the computer for identification purposes. This wouldallow, for example, the use of prestored preference filters forscreening of data according to a user profile. Embodiments of thepresent invention contemplate the filters being under a user's control.In this regard, a user profile is configured by the user for allowing ordenying access to, for example, the user's display or knowledge base.

[0045] In step 605, the newly uncovered terms are associated with theselection terms used to retrieve the page. For example, if the user usedthe terms “Cars” and “1997” to find the uncovered page, then the termsfound on the page (Audi, Buick, BMW, etc.) would be associated with eachof the terms “cars” and “1997”.

[0046] In step 606, the newly uncovered terms are associated with theselection terms by entering them into, for example, a relationalknowledge base. An example includes DARPA's KQML and the KIF language(knowledge interchange format language), the KIF language providing thesyntax for data storage. The knowledge base allows for cross liningbetween the terms so as to create a highly intricate interrelationshipbetween terms. In this regard, the selection of a first term leads toother terms, which in turn lead to other terms.

[0047]FIG. 7 shows a user interface to the pick list generator.Selection field 701 represents a selection field for a search engine.Pointer 703 represents the selection pointer as controlled by the user.The pick list generator has stored an initial dictionary of selectedterms. Once selected, field 701 expands to field 702 as additionallydisplaying the contents of the pick list's initial dictionary andknowledge base 706. Here, the terms displayed include those present inthe initial dictionary of terms. For example, the terms include“animals”, “cars”, computing”, “dates”, “homes” etc.

[0048] Many representations of the terms exist. For example, the termscan be terms themselves as represented by terms 704 or can be links togreater list of terms 705. Here, the term “dates” is signified as alsopointing to a list of terms relating to “dates” as indicated by beingfollowed by periods of ellipsis. Selection of term 705 selects it forthe population of field 701. As term 705 relates to additional terms, auser can access these additional terms through so selecting the term.Examples of the selection process include depressing an alternativemouse button (for example, the right mouse button) or remote buttonmoves opens up another selection window as shown in greater detail inFIG. 8. Additional ways of access the terms to which a selected termlinks include timing how long a mouse pointer or selection control stayson a linked term. In this regard, staying at a certain location for morethan a preset time limit is contemplated to also display the additionalterms.

[0049]FIG. 8 shows the selection of multiple selection terms inaccordance with embodiments of the present invention. Here, field 702 isshown as including a number of selection terms. Once a user selects aterm as displayed in the list of terms, the term is entered as describedin greater detail with respect to FIG. 5. Through operation of theselection device, multiple terms from the same list may be chosen. Forexample, from list 702, both “cars” and “computing” may be chosen. As tothe link to an additional pick list, upon selection of “dates . . . ”,pick list 801 is displayed with more terms relating to the selectedterm. As more terms are associated with a single term, itsrepresentation is contemplated to change from a single representation toa representation followed by periods of ellipsis.

[0050] Referring again to FIG. 8, as shown by selection block 805, auser positions the selection block 805 over a chosen term or terms andperforms an action which selects the term. The action includes clickinga mouse, pressing a key on a remote, etc. The term selected is thenentered into selection field 808. It should be noted that selectionfield 808 is contemplated to be selection field 702 but without the listof terms attached. Alternatively, field 808 may be located in anotherportion of the displayed image.

[0051] A similar process is used to selection the operator 802 asdesignated in field 803. In this example, the conjunction “and” 804 hasbeen selected. Next, it is entered into selection field 809 (which mayor may not be the same as field 803).

[0052] Finally, a user may select a term as designated from field 806.In this case, the user selected “cars” as is highlighted by block 807.After selection, “cars” is entered into field 810. At this point a usersubmits the search (or order if on-line ordering if in an on-lineordering environment).

[0053] After a search result is received, commonly in the form of adocument listing all references which included terms relating to theterm or terms searched. At this point, as described in greater detailwith regard to FIG. 6, the user may selectively (or automatically) loadthe contents of the found reference into the initial dictionary.

[0054]FIGS. 9 and 10 show an organizational scheme for indicating amodified dictionary. Referring to FIG. 9, selection field 702 includesterms “animals”, “cars”, “computing”, “dates”, and “homes”. Terms “cars”and “dates” have periods of ellipsis after them signifying that they areassociated with other terms. FIG. 9 shows that, in comparison with field702 of FIG. 7, the initial dictionary which supplied the terms as foundin FIG. 7 has been updated so as to include more terms.

[0055] Once a user designates, the term “cars”, for example, the termsassociated with “cars” appears as supplemental terms or pick list 901.In this example, the terms contained in pick list 901 include “Acura”,“Audi”, “BMW”, “Buick”, “Cadillac”, and “Toyota”. From the new pick list901, a user may select any of these terms (and, by following associatedterms along, select additional terms as well).

[0056] Embodiments of the present invention contemplate a variety ofways of terms becoming associated with each other. An example of howthese terms became associated with the term “cars” includes searchingfor a document containing the term “cars”, receiving a document fromover the Internet relating to the term “cars”, scanning the document forterms, storing the new term, and associating the found terms with theselection term “cars”.

[0057] Another example of associating the found terms with the term“cars” includes associating the terms on a scanned page with each other.Accordingly, if a scanned document contained the sentence: “New cars forthe model year include those manufactured by Acura, Audi, BMW, Buick,Cadillac, and Toyota”, then an association function which associatesfound terms together, therefore, associates “new” with “cars” with“model” etc. Further, the present invention contemplates a simplisticgrammar analysis function which associates terms by phrases. So, in thisexample, “new” would be associated with “cars”, “model” would beassociated with “year” etc.

[0058]FIG. 10 shows an alternate representation of how terms may bedisplayed. Here, the displayed terms in pick list 1001 include all termsincluding, for example, “Acura”, “animals”, “Audi”, etc. This embodimentis useful when a user desires to view all terms it can search, forexample, when starting a search anew.

[0059] An alternate embodiment as contemplated by the present inventionincludes the display of terms associated with those on a currentdocument. For example, after a user receives a document, a processorscans the document for all terms. All terms found on the page as well asall terms associated with those found on the page are displayed in apick list as represented by the pick lists of FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0060]FIG. 11 show a display 1103 of a search site from where usersperform searches. The display 1103 includes display field 701, submitsearch button 1101 and pick list pop-up field 1102 with terms “term 1”,“term 2”, “term 3”, and “term 4”. Once selection field 701 is selected,pick list 1102 is displayed. Selection of the terms of 1102 and theirentry into field 701 is as described above.

[0061]FIG. 12 shows a hand-held portable device as contemplated by thepresent invention. Hand-held device 1201 includes an antenna 1202receiving information from transmitter 1203 with antenna 1204. Onceinformation is selected on the hand-held portable device, theinformation or selected data relating to the information is transmittedback to transmitter 1203. The hand-held device 1201 includes a display1205 displaying a selection field with a pick-list 1206 as described ingreater detail above. Also included on device 1201 are selection keys1207 and an enter key 1208 which are used in conjunction with thepick-list generator described with reference to FIGS. 5 et seq.Embodiments of the present invention contemplate the hand-held device1201 including a 33 MHz Sparc II ASIC processor running at 40 MIPS.

[0062] Embodiments of the present invention further contemplate the useof replaceable storage modules to supplement the knowledge base orassociated list of terms. The replaceable storage modules include asmart card 1210 and a card with a magnetic stripe 1213. The cards areread through an integrated card reader 1209. Applications for theportable device include on-line banking, travel itinerary monitoring,currency conversion, catalog sales, and secure transaction exchanges.

[0063] An example of a method of using the portable device is shown withrespect to travel itinerary monitoring. A user is traveling and has madea number of hotel reservations. A user plugs in smart card 1210 (or card1213) and initiates an inquiry as to the status of his reservationsthrough operation of a selection menu or pick-list generator asdescribed above. The portable device transmits a request to transmitter1203 to retrieve updated itinerary information along with identificationinformation so as to identify the user. Transmitter 1203 polls anupdated database (for example, a database accessible through theInternet 1214) for updated information. The database returns updateditinerary information (for example, whether the hotels still have theuser's reservations or whether a plane is arriving on time) to thetransmitter 1203 which then transmits the information to the user'sterminal 1201. Finally, the user's terminal displays on display 1205 theupdated itinerary information.

[0064] While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed and illustrated, it should be understood that the invention isnot limited thereto since modifications may be made by persons skilledin the art. The present application contemplates any and allmodifications that fall within the spirit and scope of the underlyinginvention disclosed and claimed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of populating a selection fieldcomprising the steps of: selecting said selection field; retrievingterms from a list of terms; selecting at least one term from said listof terms; populating said selection field with said at least one term.2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said populating step furthercomprises the step of: generating calls corresponding to the characterscomprising said at least one term.
 3. The method according to claim 1,wherein said retrieving step further comprises the steps of: recallingprevious selection terms used to populate a selection field; searchingsaid list of terms for terms associated with said previous selectionterms; and, displaying said associated terms.
 4. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said retrieving step further comprises the steps of:scanning a document for terms, said document having been retrieved inresponse to terms entered into said search field; searching said list ofterms for terms associated with said terms from said scanned document;displaying said associated terms.
 5. The method according to claim 1,wherein said retrieving step further comprises the steps of: determininga user's identity; retrieving a user's profile associated with theuser's identity; retrieving search terms associated with the user'sprofile; displaying said associated terms.
 6. The method according toclaim 1, further comprising the step of: searching a network ofcomputers for said at least one term.
 7. The method according to claim1, wherein said at least one term comprises text.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 1, wherein said at least one term comprises at leastone number.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein said at leastone term is a uniform resource locator.
 10. The method according toclaim 1, wherein said at least one term is an application.
 11. Themethod according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: initiatinga supplemental application which controls at least one of saidretrieving step, said selecting step, and said populating step.
 12. Themethod according to claim 1, wherein said retrieving step furthercomprises the steps of: retrieving a knowledge base; retrieving searchterms associated with the user's profile; displaying said associatedterms.
 13. The method according to claim 1, wherein said selecting stepis performed through the operation of a selection device.
 14. The methodaccording to claim 13, wherein said selection device is a mouse.
 15. Themethod according to claim 13, wherein said selection device is a key ona keypad.
 16. The method according to claim 15, wherein said keypad ispart of a remote control.
 17. A method of adding a new term to a list ofterms comprising the steps of: scanning a received document for theexistence of a new term; adding the new term to a stored list of terms;and, associating the new term with previously stored terms found in saidlist of terms.
 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said stepof associating associates the new term with other terms which exist onsaid received document.
 19. The method according to claim 17, furthercomprising the preliminary step of: retrieving said received documentusing at least one selection term, wherein said step of associatingassociates the new term with said at least one selection term.
 20. Themethod according to claim 19, further comprising the step of: selectingsaid selection term via operation of an input selection device.
 21. Themethod according to claim 20, wherein said input selection device is amouse.
 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein said inputselection device is a key of a keypad.
 23. The method according to claim6, wherein said keypad is part of a remote control.
 24. The methodaccording to claim 17, wherein said associating step associates said newterm with other terms found on said received document.
 25. The methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising the steps of: determining auser's identity; and, retrieving a user's profile associated with saiduser's identity, wherein said associating step associates the new termin accordance with the user's profile.
 26. The method according to claim25, further comprising the step of: filtering which new terms areassociated in accordance with said user's profile.
 27. The methodaccording to claim 17, further comprising the step of: retrieving aknowledge base, wherein said associating step associates the new termwith other terms within said knowledge base.
 28. The method according toclaim 17, further comprising the step of: searching a network ofcomputers, wherein the result of said searching step is said receiveddocument and wherein said network of computers is the Internet.
 29. Themethod according to claim 28, wherein said searching step is initiatedin an Internet browser.
 30. The method according to claim 28, whereinsaid searching step is initiated in an application which can access theInternet.
 31. A system for adding new terms to a list of termscomprising: a receiving device for receiving a document; a storage forstoring a list of terms; and, a processor for processing at least oneterm derived from said received document, wherein said processorcontrols said storage to store said at least one term with said list ofterms and to store an association of the at least one term withpreviously stored terms found in said list of terms.
 32. The systemaccording to claim 31, wherein the association as formed by theprocessor associates the at least one term with other terms which existon said received document.
 33. The system according to claim 31, whereinthe received document received by the receiving unit is selected inaccordance with at least one selection term, and wherein the associationas formed by the processor associates the at least one term with said atleast one selection term.
 34. The system according to claim 33, furthercomprising: a selection device connected to said processor for selectingsaid selection term.
 35. The system according to claim 34, wherein saidselection device comprises a mouse.
 36. The system according to claim34, wherein said selection device comprises a key on a keypad.
 37. Thesystem according to claim 36, wherein said keypad is part of a remotecontrol.
 38. The system according to claim 33, wherein said receivingunit receives said received document from a network of computers andwherein said network of computers is the Internet.
 39. The systemaccording to claim 38, wherein the search is initiated in an Internetbrowser.
 40. The system according to claim 38, wherein said searchingstep is initiated in an application which can access the Internet. 41.The system according to claim 31, further comprising: a determinationdevice for determining a user's identity; a profile retrieving devicefor retrieving a user's profile associated with the user's identity,wherein the association as formed by said processor is formed inaccordance with the user's profile.
 42. The system according to claim41, wherein said processor filters said at least one term based on saiduser's profile to determine whether said at least one term should beassociated with said list of terms.
 43. The system according to claim31, further comprising: a knowledge base, wherein the association withthe at least one term is formed with other terms of said list of termswithin said knowledge base.
 44. A computer readable medium containing acomputer implemented program comprising: a scanning module for scanninga received document for the existence of a new term; an adding modulefor adding the new term to a stored list of terms; and, an associatingmodule for associating the new term with previously stored terms foundin said list of terms.
 45. The computer readable medium according toclaim 44, wherein said associating module associates the new term withother terms which exist on said received document.
 46. The computerreadable medium according to claim 44, wherein said associating moduleassociates the new term with at least one selection term taken from thestored list of terms, said at least one search term having been used toretrieve said received document.
 47. The computer readable mediumaccording to claim 46, further comprising: a selecting module forselecting said selection term via operation of a selection device. 48.The computer readable medium according to claim 47, wherein saidselection device is a mouse.
 49. The computer readable medium accordingto claim 47, wherein said selection device is a key on a keypad.
 50. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 49, wherein said keypad ispart of a remote control.
 51. The computer readable medium according toclaim 44, further comprising: a searching module for initiating a searchof a network of computers, wherein the result of said search is saidreceived document and wherein said network of computers is the Internet.52. The computer readable medium according to claim 51, wherein saidsearching module is an Internet browser.
 53. The computer readablemedium according to claim 51, wherein said searching module is anapplication which can access the Internet.
 54. The computer readablemedium according to claim 44, further comprising: a determining modulefor determining a user's identity; a profile retrieving module forretrieving a user's profile associated with the user's identity; whereinthe associating module associates the new term in accordance with theuser's profile.
 55. The computer readable medium according to claim 54,wherein said associating module filters the new term based on the user'sprofile to determine whether said at least one term should be associatedwith said list of terms.
 56. The computer readable medium according toclaim 44, further comprising: a knowledge base module organizing saidstored list of terms, wherein the associating module associates the newterm with previously stored terms of said list of terms within saidstored list of terms.
 57. A system for populating a selection fieldcomprising: a storage device storing a selection field and a list ofterms; a controlling circuit for controlling said storage device tooutput said list of terms; and, a selection device for selecting atleast one term from said list of terms; said controlling circuitcontrolling said selected at least one term to be stored in saidselection field.
 58. The system according to claim 57, wherein saidcontrolling circuit further generates calls corresponding to thecharacters comprising said at least one term.
 59. The system accordingto claim 57, wherein, in controlling said storage device to output saidlist of terms, said controlling circuit controls said storage device tooutput previous selected terms, determines which of said list of termsare associated with said previous selected terms, and controls a displayto display said associated terms.
 60. The system according to claim 57,further comprising: a receiving device for receiving a document inresponse to a search based on terms entered into said selection field;and, said control circuit controls the received document to be scannedfor terms, controls said storage device to output terms associated withsaid terms from said document, and controls a display to display saidassociated terms.
 61. The system according to claim 57, furthercomprising: a receiving device for receiving an indication of a user'sidentity; a retrieving device for retrieving a user's profile associatedwith said user's identity, wherein said control circuit controls saidstorage device to output terms associated with the user's profile, andcontrols said a display to display said associated terms.
 62. The systemaccording to claim 61, wherein said control circuit filters saidassociated terms based on the user's profile.
 63. The system accordingto claim 57, further comprising: a network of computers in communicationwith said control circuit which receives said at least one term fromsaid selection field and returns a document relating to said at leastone term.
 64. The system according to claim 57, wherein said at leastone term comprises text.
 65. The system according to claim 57, whereinsaid at least one term comprises at least one number.
 66. The systemaccording to claim 57, wherein said at least one term is a uniformresource locator.
 67. The system according to claim 57, wherein said atleast one term is an application.
 68. The system according to claim 57,further comprising the step of: initiating a supplemental applicationwhich controls at least one of said retrieving step, said selectingstep, and said populating step.
 69. A computer readable medium forpopulating a selection field comprising: a first selecting module forselecting said selection field; a retrieving module for retrieving termsfrom a list of terms; a second selecting module for selecting at leastone term from said list of terms; a populating module for populatingsaid selection field with said at least one term.
 70. The computerreadable medium according to claim 69, wherein said populating modulefurther comprises: a generating module for generating callscorresponding to characters comprising said at least one term.
 71. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 69, wherein said retrievingmodule further comprises: a recalling module for recalling previoussearch terms; a searching module for searching said list of terms forterms associated with said previous search terms; and, a displayingmodule for displaying said associated terms.
 72. The computer readablemedium according to claim 69, wherein said retrieving module furthercomprises: a scanning module for scanning a document containing saidsearch field for terms; a searching module for searching said list ofterms for terms associated with said terms from said scanned document;and, a displaying module for displaying said associated terms.
 73. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 69, wherein said retrievingmodule further comprises: a determining module for determining a user'sidentity; a retrieving module for retrieving search terms associatedwith the user's identity; and, a displaying module for displaying saidassociated terms.
 74. The computer readable medium according to claim69, further comprising: a searching module for searching a network ofcomputers for said at least one term.
 75. The computer readable mediumaccording to claim 69, wherein said at least one term comprises text.76. The computer readable medium according to claim 69, wherein said atleast one term comprises at least one number.
 77. The computer readablemedium according to claim 69, wherein said at least one term is auniform resource locator.
 78. The computer readable medium according toclaim 69, wherein said at least one term is an application.
 79. Thecomputer readable medium according to claim 69, further comprising: aninitiating module for initiating a supplemental application whichcontrols at least one of said retrieving module, said selecting module,and said populating module.
 80. A portable computing device comprising:a storage device for storing a list of terms; a display for displaying aselection field; a controlling circuit for controlling said display todisplay said list of terms; and, a selection device for selecting atleast one term from said list of terms; said controlling circuitcontrolling said display to populate said selection field with saidselected at least one term.
 81. The device of claim 80 furthercomprising: a card reader for reading data stored on a data card. 82.The device of claim 81, wherein said data card is a smart card.
 83. Thedevice of claim 81, wherein said data card is a card with at magneticstripe.
 84. The method according to claim 13, wherein said selectiondevice is a trackball.
 85. The method according to claim 13, whereinsaid selection device is a light pen.
 86. The method according to claim13, wherein said selection device is a stylus.
 87. The method accordingto claim 20, wherein said input selection device is a trackball.
 88. Themethod according to claim 20, wherein said input selection device is alight pen.
 89. The method according to claim 20, wherein said inputselection device is a stylus.
 90. The system according to claim 34,wherein said selection device comprises a trackball.
 91. The systemaccording to claim 34, wherein said selection device comprises a lightpen.
 92. The system according to claim 34, wherein said selection devicecomprises a stylus.
 93. The computer readable medium according to claim47, wherein said selection device is a trackball.
 94. The computerreadable medium according to claim 47, wherein said selection device isa light pen.
 95. The computer readable medium according to claim 47,wherein said selection device is a stylus.